Collaborate like a startup

The startup of today is a highly evolved animal where disruption is often the name of the game. This is because as part of that evolution, startups have developed methodologies that include the minimal viable product, business model canvases, timeboxing and pivots.

Collaboration Critical – a deadline for South Africans

There has never been a more critical time for South Africans to collaborate. Over the past few weeks we’ve chosen to march, we’ve taken to social media, we’ve chosen not to march, we’re angry, we’re talked about endings and beginnings and we’ve witnessed collaboration. We’ve seen political opponents take to the streets as one in their tens of thousands, but what now?

The more we collaborate, the luckier we get

My business partner uses the following phrase ad nauseam, “you don’t know what you don’t know.” It sometimes sounds like a pretty dumb phrase, but it’s actually true. Collaboration is about ‘what you don’t know and what others do know’ and how knowledge is pooled to make stuff better. And as you collaborate, not only will knowledge around the project grow exponentially, but so will your luck. Ours certainly has.

The AGE of collaboration

Now don’t get confused! The AGE of collaboration is quite different to the Collaborative ERA. The AGE of collaboration is my of assessment of the concept of age within the collaborative space, while the ERA is … well, it’s now.

Why some teams win the collaboration challenge … and others don’t

The White Standard and why collaboration is essential

I am a white South African who grew up in a middle-class home, but when compared to the average South African, a highly privileged home, where private education, followed by university and a paid-for apartment were all part of expectation. I have never wondered where my next meal would come from. I have never had an illness, which I had to ignore due to no medical access.

How to fall in love … with chaos

Chaos is collaboration’s best friend. Why is this? The less structured the environment, be it virtual or physical, the more open it is for ideas. Many great ideas have been born in chaotic environments, not least of all penicillin and artificial sweeteners.

Can politicians collaborate?

As we find ourselves on the eve of what will probably be one of the most hotly contested local elections in South Africa since the birth of our democracy in 1994, I find myself wondering what we could attribute to the ‘average’ politician - conflict, collusion, corruption or collaboration?

If ever there was a deadline for collaboration - this is it

I recently completed reading my friend Justice Malala’s book; We have now begun our descent. The book was actually gifted to my mother for her 90th birthday, and I would highly recommend that every concerned citizen who is determined that our future be brighter than our present, reads the book. I went through a range of emotions, mainly anger and some sadness, but without a doubt, Justice’s book makes the strongest case for collaboration.

The real stats of business collaboration

Ninety-six percent of executives cite ineffective communication as the reason for workplace failures. In addressing this, executives estimate that improved communication and collaboration through social technologies could raise productivity levels by as much as 20-25%.